Guerlesquin: Holiday apartments and houses

Guerlesquin showcases the only example in Brittany of a town layout featuring the three elements of urban authority under the Ancien Régime: the market halls, the seigneurial prison and the church.

Culture and history

The present-day market halls are a building constructed from blond granite in 1882 and now serve as a cultural, commercial and festive centre. The historic ensemble includes the former seigneurial prison, a Renaissance-style building erected in 1640. It was restored in 1872, classified as a Monument historique in 1875 and is presented in Guerlesquin as one of the town’s sights. The Guerlesquin tourist office is located in the market halls opposite the former seigneurial prison.

The Church of Saint-Ténénan was rebuilt from 1859 onwards in the Neo-Gothic style, incorporating original decorative stones and a bell tower in the Beaumanoir style. The Saint-Trémeur Chapel was rebuilt in 1996. Hewn stones found during excavations from 1995 to 1997 bear witness to an earlier oratory or chapel dating from the 12th or 13th century. The chapel lies in a wooded valley; two wells are built into its walls. A seven-hectare enclosure is bordered by an original dry-stone wall, and at the entrance to the site is Gwele ar Sant, meaning “the saint’s bed”.

The Saint-Modez Chapel was built in the 16th century and preserves an original west façade with a bell turret and a pointed, curving doorway. Another chapel was built in 1686 as an oratory commemorating the great pilgrimage to Saint-Jean-du-Doigt; it is the only surviving part of the former convent of the Dames Paulines.

Landscape and gardens

The Champ de Bataille is a peaceful public garden next to the Church of Saint-Ténénan, with benches and picnic tables; it also includes the ruins of the Saint-Ener Chapel and offers a view of the church’s apse. The Jardin des secrets around the church of Guerlesquin is an interpretive garden with labelled aromatic and medicinal plants.

Active pursuits

The six-metre-high Menhir de Kerhellou dates from the Neolithic period and is visible from the D42 road. A local circular route is 8.830 km long and takes approximately two to two and a half hours. The circular route to the Menhir de Kerhellou is 12 km long and takes about three hours. The circular route around Étang du Guic is 16 km long and takes about four hours.

The St Ener 11 mountain-bike circuit starts in Guerlesquin, is 16.6 km long, has 432 m of elevation gain and is classified as difficult. It leads around Étang du Guic; its higher-lying area, covered with reeds and rushes, is considered a protected natural area.

Le Mystère Abgrall is a free mystery game in Morlaix and Guerlesquin. Participants solve a series of puzzles using an investigation booklet.

Local life

Guerlesquin market takes place all year round on Monday mornings from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; in summer, it features stalls selling food, handicrafts and local products. The Bouloù-Pok championship has been held exclusively in Guerlesquin for more than 500 years.

Further destinations: Tréguennec, Beg Meil, Landivisiau, Tréméoc, Kerlaz, La Forest-Landerneau, Saint-Urbain, La Feuillee

To the overview of the wider travel region: Finistere.